10lbs

Having a goal is very important.

When I finally decided I was tired of being overweight and unhealthy; I set myself a goal and promised myself that no matter what, unless I broke a leg or blew out a knee, I would see my goal through completion.

That is all fine and dandy until it is actually time to get out there and run. 

I put down deserts and fast food on February 16, 2011 and I haven't looked back since. I haven't had McDonalds, Burger King, or any other "bad" food since I decided to shed 37lbs and focus on becoming a healthier person.

Whether I am doing this for myself, for my health, or just because I am turning 40 in 2012 I feel like a champion. I am happier, friendlier, and not so moody. There were days where I didn't even like myself and I have noticed that I have been able to control my attitude and feel happier about things than before.

Yesterday was a big goal day for me. My run challenge was to run 20 minutes without stopping. The longest I have gone is 9 minutes so before I even left the house I said, "Well I have to run 20 minutes nonstop today - I won't be able to do it."

Matt said, "Well that's the kinda attitude you want to have."

I left the house hopeful that I could complete my challenge but the little voice that hung over my head like a crazied circus performer said, "Give it up - you'll never do it."

I didn't run 20 minutes. I ran 21 1/2 minutes and I felt like the king of the world, I wanted to stop on the sidewalk and imitate Leonardo DiCaprio from Titanic and yell, "I'm king of the world," but there were people walking by me and I didn't want to take the time to explain to the police that I really wasn't insane - just excited I could run without dying along side the road.

Running has become very therapeutic for me. It has done more for me than helping me shed extra pounds and be able to move around - it has truly given me the confidence to know that I can do anything that I want to. We tend to be controlled by our fears and we all know that fear is nothing more than a disease that we let run our lives us.

When I got home from my run and sat at the table with ice packs on my knees I said to Matt, "I can do anything."

"You can't have a baby," he said after handing me some Advil and a tall glass of ice water.

I curved the ice pack around my kneecap, "No...But I can adopt."